This week our focus in reading was about how to read LONGER and STRONGER to become better readers. First, we discussed what reading ‘long” means for 5th graders. The kids generated a list of ideas like: reading “extra”, or above and beyond their 20 required nightly minutes or on the weekend. Others thought of giving a book a longer chance if it doesn't seem interesting or exciting at first. I asked them to think about how to go about reading longer. The next day they composed a list of strategies and ways to implement them into their reading life. Many students shared that they have a special, out-of-the-way place to read such as a closet or ‘cave’ they make in their rooms. Almost all students agreed that they wanted to push themselves using self talk to keep going, telling themselves to read for 5 more minutes or 1 more chapter.
On Thursday we discussed what it meant to read “strong”. We agreed that to be able to read strong you must be reading a ‘just right’ book, but that it was okay to SOMETIMES challenge yourself with a difficult book or SOMETIMES give yourself a break with an easy book. We decided that all of those specific components of reading (previewing, predicting, inferring, making a mind movie, making connections, etc) and doing them well are what make us strong readers. Next, we narrowed our strategies down to:
- focusing on the book and ignoring distractions
- stopping to check for understanding
-sticky noting to track your thinking
-keeping up a good pace to avoid missing details or growing bored
Keep an eye out for a sticky note on your child’s independent book next week to see what 2 goals they've chosen as their personal focus for reading long and strong.
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